The new café offers indoor and outdoor seating with some of the best views of Peconic Bay. There is also plenty of wildlife nearby, partly due to a bird sanctuary located on the south side of the property.

“Once you turn off your car, you can hear the peepers in the woods,” said Katie Sepenoski, a partner in Sep’s Farm as well as Port of Egypt marina and Heron Suites. “And you have an unobstructed view of the whole bay.” (more…)

The English lavender at Lavender by the Bay in East Marion. (Credit: Kendall Stark photo)

The gorgeous English lavender is expected to bloom at Lavender by the Bay this weekend, a stunning occurrence that draws thousands to the East Marion lavender farm every summer.

While Orient and East Marion residents and business owners have complained of road congestion during the bloom, this year the farm’s owner has removed one acre of plants to add 100 parking spots. The farm previously had 65 spots.

“Although we were sad to remove over an acre of gorgeous lavender plants along the east border, it was done tastefully and does not take away from the beauty of the fields,” said Chanan Rozenbaum, vice president of the 17-acre farm. “Our first consideration is safety for both our visitors and our neighbors, and we want to do what it takes to keep our customers comfortable while also minimizing any inconvenience to residents.(more…)